Cable car



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1'.

A. MARTINEZ. CABLE GAR.

N'o. 466,355. Patented Jan. 5, 1892.

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3- Sheets-Sheet 2. A

QNO Model.)

A. MARTINEZ.

CABLE GAB..

No. 465,355. Patented Jan. 5, 1892.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

A. MARTINEZ.- y,05131.15GAR,-

No. 466,355. Patented JmL-15, 18,92."

v i l ai d im A UN-ITEIDSTATES f PATENT OFFICE..

vvAGUSTIN MARTINEZ, or PHILADELPHIA,

CABLE CAR. j

PENNSYLVANIA.

SPECIFICATION forming part' of Letters PatehfNo, 466,355, dated January 5, 1892.

Application filed March 19,1891. Serial No. 385,712-

To all whom tm/ay concern:

' Be it knownY that I, AGUSTIN MARTINEZ,

citizen of th`e"United States, residing at the' city and county of Philadelphia', and Statev of 5 Pennsylvania, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Cable Cars, of which the following is 'a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had vto the accompanying drawings, of which,-

Figurelisfa vertical section of acar-truck in which Iny invention is embodied, a car rail and cable being shown. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section t-aken on a line iinmedia'telybelow the platform or body ofthe truck. 'Fig is a side elevation, enlarged, of the gripper mechanism. f F ig.4 -is avsectional end elevation thereof. Fig. 5 is a rear view of the grippingjaws and adjuncts. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section, as on'thev line :c Fig. 3, the cable beingomitted. Fig. 7 isiasectional plan of my improved'grip-head. Fig. 8 is a like view of a modified form of head.

This invention relates more particularly to certain improvements inthe gripping and the braking mechanisms of nthosel cars known as cable cars, which are propelled'through the medium of a power-driven cable; and the objects of the improvements are, primarily, to connect the cable-gripper and the wheel- -brakes to a, single or common y operating debrakes may be operated concertedlyby or through the action ofv saidv device,and alsoto improve the construction of the gripper-jaws, of the gripper-head, and of the cable-supportingrollers, whereby advantages are gained, as hereinafter described. The'preferred mech-` anism whereby I attain these objects is illus#` tention will now be directed. y A represents the usual truck upon which the car is supported, ct being the platform or body of the truck, a the'wheels thereof, a2 the axles, ctthe reach-bars, and d4 the 'crossbars forthe support of the grip-head B. "Although this head'may be of any desirable pattern, yet I prefer to use the particular construction represented in the drawings, which construction I shall describe in due 5o` course.

Depending from the head B are two fixed bars b, on the lower ends of which the gripvice in such manner that the gripper and the firmly bolted to the body of the truck.

trated in the 'annexed drawings, to whichat-.- vif jthe leverv E be manipulated it will act (No model.) *Y

' jaws b bz'aremounted, bbeing the fixed jaw and b2 the pivotal 'or binding jaw. b3 is the central vertically movable. bar,l which is .55 hingedly connected with the latter jaw and is guided in the grip-head, wherebythisbar b3, when. it -is properly operated, acts upon the movable jaw to force it against or retract it from'the cable C. It will be observed that 6o the connection of the bar b3 with the movable jaw isforward'of the pivot or hinge y of the latter-that is, intermediate said pivot or hinge and the free or working end of thejaw. Consequently, to close said jaw tocause it to grip the cable it is requisite tov draw or pull up the bar b3,thereby insuringa better ac-I tion of the ,jawA upon the cable than in those constructions'- wherein iswrequred a downward pushof the operating-bar to close the 7o pivot'edgrip-jaw. In .the push construction only a very limited amount of pressure may beapplied to the bar; otherwisethe bar will bend or twist laterally, so as to bear against' the sides ofthe conduit-slot, whereas 75 in the pull construction there may be applied an amount of power commensurate with the tensile strength of the bar.. I therefore consider this latter construction one of importance. Pivoted to the upperend of the central 8o bar b3 is a bell-crank lever D, the shorter arm ot' which is pivoted in and between suitable Alugsd 'on the gripfhead, while its other or longer arm is connected Aby means of a link or rodld with a'vertical operating-lever E, 85 mounted at the forward end of the truck This lever is fulcrumed'at @between the depending bifurcated walls of a bracket-head F,'tl1'e top or supporting plate f of which is,

throngh'the bell-crank and link connection toact-uate the jaw-workingbar b3 of the grip mechanism.

G represents the brake-shoes which are sus` `,95 v

pended'by Vmeans of links g from the under side ofthe truck-body in such respect to the wheels that there is a shoe adjacent `to the periphery of each wheel. There are thus two pairs of shoes. Each pairis connected bya roo toggle-lever g. Mounted in boxes g2, depending from the under side of the body, are two lateralrock-shafts g3, to theouter end of each of which is securedahorizontal arm g4, which Thus 9o is connected by a link g5 with the central joint of the lower toggle-lever. Ilenceif said shaft be properly turned the arms thereon, through the medium of their links, will act upon the toggle-levers, the latter thereupon' engaging the brake-shoes with or disengaging them from the wheels. As a means whereby these shafts may be moved in concert with the gripping mechanism when the lever E is operated-that is to say, whereby the brakeshoes may be retracted from the wheels when the grip is being closed, and vice versa, or whereby both the grip and the brake may be thrown open simultaneously-1 have devised the mechanism illustrated in the drawings, although I remark in this connection that I do not restrict myself to that particular mechauism, as there are obviously various equivalent `ways by which the same end maybe effectively accomplished. Depending from each of the shafts g3 is an arm g, which is connected by means of a rod g7 with a similar armgB on a horizontal rock-shaft gg, that is supported in brackets gw, fixed at the forward end of the truck just beyond the oper ating-lever. This shaft is provided with a central upwardly-projecting arm g, which is connected by a chain Q12 or other suitable device with the operatinglever at a point (as above the pivotal connection of the rod d. By this construction it will be obvious that when the lever occupies the right inclined position indicated by the dotted line l, Fig. 1,

the grip is closed while the brake devices are open, and that if the lever be drawn to the oppositely-inclined position indicated by the line 2 the conditions of the grip and the brake devices are reversed-that is, the grip is open while the brake devices are closed or in engagement with the wheels. It will also be obvious that if the movement of the lever be checked before it reaches the extreme limit of this last position, as indicated by the dotted linero, both the brake and the grip will be opened, and the car may thereupon be moved or drawn independently of the cable-as by horses, for example.

In order to lock the lever in its various positions of adjustment I have fixed upon the plate of the bracket F, concentric with the lever, a pair of rack-segments I-I I-I, the teeth of which are oppositely inclined,as seen,and I have provided the lever with a pair of pivoted pawls h h', so disposed as normally to engage the teeth of these racks, respectively. These pawls are connected by means of rods h2 h3 with a small crank-lever h5, pivoted near the upper end of the hand-lever, the construction and arrangementof the parts being such that if the free arm of the crank-lever be pressed inward the pawls will be disengaged from the rack-teeth, and if said leverarm b'e released the parts will resume their original or locking position. It will be obvions that when the pawls are in engagement with the racks the hand-lever and its connected parts are eectually locked in those positions before described which they may be caused to assume. The pawl h and the rack Il work against the action of the brake devices, while the pawl 71, and the rack H work against the action of the gripping mechanism, as will be readily understood by one conversant with mechanics.

I prefer to make the rear tooth h of the rack Il somewhat larger than its fellows, so that when ordinary pressure is applied to the thumb-lever and the hand-lever is thrown into the intermediate position the pawl h will take against this tooth and the latter will thus act as a determinate stop; but if the thumb-lever be pressed still farther, said pawl will be raised sufciently far to clear the tooth h, and the hand-lever may thereupon be thrown to the extreme back position with the effect above stated.

A The many advantages incident to a construction such as that above explained, in which the grip and the brake mechanismare operated from a common source of power bya single action, are too apparent to require particular mention.

It will be observed that I have so constructed the shoes of the gripping-jaws that the shoes may be adj usted inwardly from time to time to compensate for wear, or that they may be wholly removed from the jaws and others substituted therefor, as occasion may require. 'lhe shoe on the swinging jaw comprises a bar b4, of wrought-irou or other appropriate metal, which bar is provided at its ends with lugs b5, that Aembrace the ends of the jaw, and with intermediate studs or projections bs, which extend through apertures 137 in said jaw. Interposed between the bar and the jaw is a steel plate bs, and mounted in the jaw, so as to take against the plate, is a series of screws b9, Thus if said screws be properly manipulated they will move the plate b8 and force the shoe toward the cable. The shoe may be fixed in the desired position by means of set-screws b, which are so mounted in the jaw as to take against the lower sides of the studs b. The steel plate is employed for the purpose of insuring a uniform pressure against the iron shoe and also to resist the wearing action of the screw-points. This plate is of course provided with apertures or slots coinciding with those 177 in the gripperjaw, in order to permit of the passage of the projections bon the shoe. (See Fig. 6.) Thelngs and studs on the shoe act in conjunction with those portions of the jaw engaged therewith to effect accurate alignment of the shoe, and thus to make certain the gripping action on the cable.

The shoe D', which constitutes the fixed jaw of the grip, is constructed similarly to the other shoe, beforedescribed; but, instead of its being adjusted inwardly by the action of screws, it is constructed to be set by hand and to be fixed at the point of adjustment by means of screws b1, which work in the ends of the usual lower frame B and take against lOO IIO

the opposed sides ofthe guide-studs h6. frame is bolted to the lower end of the'iixed bars b and is practically a part thereof. It is to this frame that the movable grip-jaw is pivoted, as indicated at from the ends of this frame are the arms z', in and between which the usual cable-supporting rollers I are mounted. Ipreferably make these rollers vertically adjustable, 'in order that they may be set to compensate for wear. I do this rollers in elongated holes or bearings t" in the arms and providing the latter just below the bearings the opposed portions of the studs or shafts.

` Thus by properly manipulating the set-screws nice adjustment of .the rollers in respect to the cable C may be effected.

Instead of making the grip-head B ot' cast metal, as heretofore, I construct the same as represented in the 'drawingsthatis to say, of two steel plates ha, that are stamped to the vrequisite form, placed side by side, and bolted together, one end of each plate being extended beyond the contiguous end of the adjacent .v v plate, bent around the latter, and bolted thereshown.l The lugs the plates, those bolts to, asillustrated most clearlyin Fig-7; Thus there are formed at each tical eyes bb for the passage of the bolts, which secure the head to the supporting cross-bars of the-truck. The plates are suitably shaped to'form a central space-for the grip-bars, the fixed bars being'secnrely bolted in place, as d, tok which the lever D is pivotally connected, are bolted to the' sides of da'that secure one of y the fixed bars in place being used,'preferably,

y becomes Worn or broken to fasten'thelugs in position.v Y

` Theabove-described grip-head,while'simple in 'its construction, is obviously verystrong and substantial. Should one of the plates become-broken or damaged in any way, as 'at the eye, it may be easily removed and another or perfect one j ust as easily substituted therefor. On the other hand, when the cast head at the eye or eyes, or

in fact at any point, it is necessaryto replace I it by an entirely new head.

In-Fig. 8 I have represented a slight moditication of my sectional grip-head. In this form the ends of the plates arenot extended, as in the other construction, but, instead, U- shaped plates are bolted to said ends, so as to connect the latter, and at the Sametime to form the bolt-eyes.

Havingthus described myinvention, Iclaim as new and Wish to secure by Letters Patentv v 1. The combination, witha wheeled supporting-frame and gripper and brake mechanisms carried thereby,

frame, the rock-shaft provided with the downprojecting arm and with Athe up-projecting arm, a connecting device between the latter arm and said lever, a connecting device bev This y, Fig. 4. Projecting by fitting the studs or shafts of the with set-screws t2, which act against end of the head ver-V of the single operatv ing-lever operatively connected with saidl tween the down-projecting arm and the brake mechanism, and a'link or rod connection between-the said lever and the grip mechanism, the attachment of said link or rod connection with the operating-lever beingl intermediate and with the upprojecting arm,a connecting device between the latter arm and said lever,

a connecting device between the down-projecting arm and the brake mechanism, and a link or rod connection between the said lever and the grip mechanism, the attachment of said link or rod connection with the voperating-lever being intermediate the fulcrum of the latter and theA point of attachment with the lever of the lip-projecting-arm connection, together with devices for locking said leverin various positions of adjustment, substantially as described. f 3. The combination, with a wheeled supporting-frame, of the gripper mechanism, the hand-lever, the rock-shaft, vas gg, provided with the down-projecting arm and with the up-projecting arm, a 'connecting device between tlie latter arm and the said lever, the brake-shoes, the'connecting-toggles therefor, the-rock shaft or shafts, as g3, the arms g4` g6 thereon, the links connecting said arms g4 with the toggles, the link or rod vconnection between the arm g6 andthe down-projecting arm of the rock-shaft Q9, and the. linkor rod connection between the said operating-lever andthe gripper mechanism, substantially as described. l v 4. The combination, with a Wheeled supporting-frame and gripper and-brake mechanisms carried thereby, of the hand-lever. operatively connected with said frame, the rockshaft provided with the down-projecting arm and with the up-projecting arm, a connecting device between the latter arm and said lever,

a connecting device between the down-projecting arm and the brake mechanism, and a link or rod connection ver and the grip mechanism, the attachment of said link or rod connection with the operating-lever being intermediate the fulcrum of the latter and the point of the lever of the up-projecting arm connection, together with the rack-segments, as H I-I., having oppositely--inclined teeth, .the pawls pivoted to said lever and betweenthe said lesaid frame, the rockthe down-projectingarm I IOL IIO

attachment with adapted to engage'.y

the rack-teeth, and devices on said leverfor simultaneously operating-said pawls, one of said segments being provided .withan additional t0oth,as ha',

substantially as described.

5. The combination of the bracket-head, the hand-lever fulcrumed therein, the racksegments with their oppositely-inclined teeth, the pawls pivoted to said lever and adapted to engage the rack-teeth, and the single cranklever pivoted on said hand-lever and operatively connected with said pawls by means of the rods h2 h3, whereby the action of said crank-1ever will operate simultaneously both pawls, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the gripper-jaw, of the shoe thereon, the interposed steel plate and the screws Working in said jaw against the plate, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with the gripper-jaw provided with apertures therein, of the adjustable shoe provided with studs or projections which register with said apertures, and provided also with end lugs which embrace the ends of the jaw, and the set-screws for adjusting said shoe, substantially as described.

S. The combination, with the gripper-jaw provided with apertures therein, ot the adjustable shoe provided with studs or projections Which register with said apertures, and provided also with end lugs which embrace the ends of the jaw, andthe set-screws for ixing said shoe iu positions ot adjustment, substantially as described.

9. The combination, with the gripper-jaT provided wit-h apertures therein, of the adjustable shoe provided with studs or projections Which register with said apertures, and provided also with end lugs which embrace the ends of the jaw, the set-screws for adjusting said shoe, and the set-screws for fixing it in its positions of adjustment, substantially as described. i

10. The combination, with the gripper-jaw provided With apertures therein, of the adjustable shoe having studs which register with said apertures and set-screws for adjusting said shoe, together with the interposed steel plate provided with the apertures or slots for the passage of said studs, substantially as described.

11. The grip-head constructed of two metallic plates correspondingly formed as regards shape and size, bolted together to form the sides of the head, and provided with end bolt-eyes, substantially as described.

l2. The grip-head constructed ot' metallic plates struck up into shape, bolted together, and provided with the end bolt-eyes, substan tially as described.

13. The grip-head constructed of two metallic plates struck up into shape, bolted together, and provided with end bolt eyes formed by suitably bending the extended ends of the plate, substantially as described.

14. The combination of the grip-head, the fixed bars, the vertically-movable bar, the fixed grip-jaw, and the pivoted grip-jaw, the latter being connected with said movable bar at a point intermediate the pivot or hinge and the free or Working end of the ,drip-jaw, whereby a pull of the movable bar is requisite to close the latter, substantially as described.

15. The combination of the grip-head, the fixed bars, the vertically-movable bar, the fixed grip-jaw, and the pivoted grip-jaw, the latter being connected with said movable bar at a point intermediate the pivot or hinge and the free or Working end of the grip-jaw, whereby a pull ot the movable bar is requisite to close the latter, together with the bellcrank lever operatively connected with the grip-head and the movable bar, and mechanism for operating said lever, substantially as described. l

In testimony whereof I have hereunto atfixed my signature this 16th day of March, A. D. 1891.

AGUSTIN MAR'IINEL.

XVitnesses:

JOHN R. NoLAN, C. W. BECK. 

